Coin accumulator



Sept. 6, 1966 M. A. HALL COIN ACCUMULATOR 8 Sheets-Sheet l Filed OCT..19, 1964 Ilm- A' f\ xNvENToR MWCHELL A. HALL ATTO Y Sept. 6, 1966 M. A.HALL com ACGUMULATOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1961-3` INVENTOR.MITCHELL A. HALL BY l www' ATTO Sept. 6, i966 M. A. HALL COINACCUMULATOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 19, 1964 L.. L L L mw wmmv @n INVENTOR.

MITCHELL A. HALL BY JM ATT() Semo 5, i966 M. A. HALL COIN CCUMULATOR 8Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 19, 1964 INVENTOR.

MiTCHELL A. HALL BY l ATT e(- Sept. 6, w66 M. A. HALL 3,270,848

COIN ACCUMULATOR Filed Oct. 19, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 v Lm w W////////fW m l N VENTOR.

MITCHELL A. HALL B Y l /WMWUQ ATTOR EY M. A. HALL 3,270,848 COINACCUMULATOR 8 Sheets-Sheec 6 N VE N TOR. MITCHELL A. HALL ATTOR Sepa 6,1966 Filed OC.. 19, 1964 Sept. 6, 3966 M. A. HALL. 3,276,848

COIN ACCUMULATOR Filed Oct. 19, 1964 S sheets-sheet 7 INVENTOR. MITCHELLA. HALL Sept. 6, i966 M. A. HALL COIN ACCUMULATOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 FiledOct. 19, 1964 I N VEN TOR. MITCHELL A. HALL BY ATTQRNEY l United StatesPatent O 3,270,843 COIN ACCUMULATR Mitchell A. Hall, 445 Rossford Ave.,Fort Thomas, Ky. Filed Get. 19, 1.964, Ser. No. 404,571 Ztl Claims. (Cl.1945-92) The present invention relates to an accumulator of coins ortokens of different denominations and sizes, wherein is included meansto permit manipulation of an actuator only upon deposit of apredetermined number of coins or tokens of selected sizes or values.Accumulators such as the invention per-tains to, are useful incontrolling operation of various types of machines for dispensing goodsor services in exchange for payment, usually by means of coins. Someexamples of common usage are, to control the operation of laundrywashers and dryers, machines for dispensing food and many otherproducts, ticket and stamp dispensers, game machinery, land the like.

The accumulator as herein disclosed, is particularly adapted for servicewhere a considerable number of coins may be required to place the devicein condition for actuation; however, as will be explained, the device isadjustable for actuation upon deposit of a small number of coins also.It possesses also the advantage of accepting coins of small denominationin addition to coins of greater value, so that a patron may insertpennies, for example, in payment of sales taxes, in -addition to thebase price of an article or service to be dispensed. Thus, theproprietor of the machine may dispense articles at a proper base price,plus sales tax, without having to overcharge or undercharge a patron bypricing the article to the nearest nickel or dirne valuation to includethe tax, which tax is usually an intermediate amount.

An object of the invention is to provide an accumulator which can accepta large number of coins of diterent denominations, evaluate the totalworth of coins deposited, and permit an actuation provided that thecoins properly correspond to the predetermined price of goods orservices to be dispensed.

Another object is to provide a device of the character stated, whichmakes possible the pricing of an article or service without overchargeor undercharge, taking into account a tax item such as a sales tax, tobe 4added to the selling price of the article or service.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the purposestated, which is easily and accurately adjustable for accommodating awide range of coins or tokens having like or diiering values, necessaryto condition the device for actua-tion.

A further object is to provide in a multiple-coin accumulator, simplemeans to electively sense the absence of one or more required coins, orthe presence of an improper coin, and to perform accordingly by barringability of the accumulator to initiate dispensing of an article orservice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterstated which is durable, fool-proof, and simple of construction, so asto require a minimum of maintenance attention.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means describedherein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational View of the improved accumulator, includingsix proper coins conditioning the device for actuation.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the same, excluding the coins shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmental side elevation of the actuator shown at the topof FIG. 1, partially advanced toward dispensing position.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the actuator in fullyadvanced, dispensing position.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the relationship of partsoccurring at coin ejection.

FIG. 6 is a fragmental cross-section taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 1,showing proper coins held by a magazine.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5,showing the coins being ejected from the magazine.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken on line 9 9 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a cross-section taken on line lil-10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1l is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the relationship of partsobtaining when operation of the device is attempted with one coinmissing from the magazine.

FIG. l2 is a side elevation of the magazine, indicating means ofadjustment thereof to accommodate coins in different numbers.

FIG. 13 is 4a View similar to FIG. 12, illustrating a modified form ofmagazine and linkage.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-section taken on line 14- 14 of FIG. 1,showing details of the magazine construction.

Referring to FIG. l, the numeral 20 indicates a reciproable actuator orplunger supported in bearings 22 for longitudinal shifting movement fromthe inoperative or retracted position of FIG. l, to the extended oroperative position of FIG. 8. When fully extended, actuator 20 at itsinner end 24 may strike an electric switch, or some other operable partof a vending machine, to cause delivery of a product or service offeredby the vending machine. Movement of the actuator to operative positionmay be eltected only after deposit of a predetermined number of propercoins Q, N, P, int-o a coin magazine 25. For purposes of explanation andconvenience only, and without intention to limit Ithe invention, thecoins may be quarters, nickels, and pennies, Q, N, P. With slightmoditcation, the magazine may be adapted to accommodate other coins,including dimes, or various combinations of diierent coins as willbecome manifest.

Bearings 22 may be supported by a stationary frame part 26, to which maybe fixed a depending upright frame part 28. A post 30 and =base 32 (FIG.2), are not necessary elements of the device, but are indicated simplyas a form of support therefor. The frame parts 26, 28, might as well besupported upon an inside wall or inner structural part of -a cabinetinto which coins may drop, so as to be inaccessible to a patron or userof the device.

Actuator or plunger 20 may carry a fixed ange or abutment 34, and anadjacent iixed spool 36, the latter being grooved at spaced intervals toprovide a rack having opposite ends 38 and 40. A spring-biased pawl 42,pivoted upon frame part 26 at 44, operates against rack 36 to preventwithdrawal of plunger 20 once the plunger has been advanced partiallytoward operative position. This is best understood by referring to FIG.11. Pawl 42 is adapted to override the end 4t) of the rack as plunger 20closely approaches the fully extended or operative position of FIG. 4,whereupon the plunger may thereafter be retracted, with the pawl idlytraversing the rack teeth according to FIG. 5. The pawl in FIG. 5 willof course preclude advancement of the plunger, until the pawl passes oitthe end 38 of the rack.

Adjacent to the end 38 of rack 36, the plunger or actuator may bereduced in diameter to provide a depression or pocket 46, into which maydip a latch 48, as shown upon FIG. 11, to stop against spool end 38 forblocking advancement of the plunger. This condition occurs when improperor insufficient coins are deposited in magazine 25 by the patron. Ifproperand sufficient coins are deposited, latch 48 will refuse to dip,as in FIGS. 3 and 5, thereby permitting the plunger to advance withoutinterference from latch 48. In that event, the plunger may be advancedto the fully extended or operative position of FIG. 4, with latch 48remaining retracted. Upon retraction of plunger 20, all coins will beejected, as will later be explained, and latch 48 at the end of plungerretraction, will assume the initial normal position of FIG. 1 againstone side of the plunger. In arriving at said initial position, the latchwill dip momentarily into pocket 46 'because it is normally yieldinglybiased in -that direction by a spring 50, as will be explained.

Coin magazine may comprise a substantially flat plate-like structurehaving parallel longitudinal outwardly extending ribs 52, 54, 56, 58 onone face thereof, said ribs providing elongate runways for supportingcoins fed therein by a patron. The coins entry ends of the runways aredesignated by the numerals 60, 62, 64, and these ends preferably aredisposed at an inclination to induce gravity movement of coins along therunways. For this purpose, the magazine 25 may be secured to frame part2S at an inclination, as shown.

Ribs 52, 54, 56, have upper plane shelf surfaces 66 to support the coinsQ, N, and P. The lower surfaces of ribs 54, 56, 58 are provided withchannels 68 which prevent the coins from inadvertently tipping outwardlyfrom the runways, thereby assuring that the coins remain substantiallyupright in rolling down the inclined shelves, FIGS. 6 and 7. If desired,the magazine may be mounted to tilt slightly from the vertical, as inFIGS. 6 and 7, to prevent the aforesaid inadvertent tipping of coinslaterally from the runways. It may here be noted that the coins aresubject to deliberate lateral ejection, as in FIG. 7, due to the planarnature of shelf surfaces 66 which support them.

Lateral ejection of coins from the magazine may be effected by a seriesof interconnected ejector bars 70, 70, 70, which are held in spacedparallelism by struts 72 which are fixed thereto. The set of ejectorbars may be shifted bodily from an inoperative position of FIG. 7 atwhich the bars project through elongated slots 74 in the magazine body,to dislodge the coins. The two positions of the ejector bars areillustrated at '70 of FIG. 10.

Support means for ejector bars 78 may comprise a set of ex-tending arms76 fixed to the magazine body, and carrying at their outer ends a pairof pivot shafts 78, 78. These shafts may carry links 80, 80, theopposite ends of which are pivotally attached to the shafts 78 and tothe ejector bars 70, so that the links may swing about shafts 78 inguiding the ejector bars 7G to the operative and inoperative positionsof FIG. 10. A spring 82 acts to yieldingly bias the set of ejector barstoward the inoperative or retracted position shown by full lines in FIG.10.

Means are provided for shifting the ejector bars to eject coins from themagazine, upon each retractile movement of actuator or plunger 20. Suchmeans may comprise an upright rock shaft 84 journalled for limitedrocking movement in a bearing 86 fixed to the back of frame part 26(FIGS. 2, 6, 7, and 8). The rock shaft may include a crank end 88 tonormally rest against one of the ejector bars '70, as in FIG. 6, so thatwhen the rock shaft is rotated slightly-in one direction, it willproject the ejector `bar set, as in FIG. 7, to dislodge coins from themagazine. A small wire spring 90 may act to yieldingly return rock shaft84 to the normal position of FIG. 6, while spring 82 returns the ejectorset to the retracted inoperative position, FIG. 6.

Rock shaft 84 may have at its upper end a lever arm 92, which isnormally in the path of movement of abutment 34 carried by plunger 20.When the plunger is advancing as in FIG. 3, abutment 34 will strike arm92 to rotate the rock shaft, but such rotation will be in a directionsuch as to move crank 88 away from the ejector, and thereby permit theejector to remain inoperative or idle. However, upon retraction of theplunger (FIGS. 8 and 9), abutment 34 will strike arm 92 to rotate therock shaft 84 in the opposite direction, or counter-clockwise, whereuponthe crank end 88 of the rock shaft will impinge against the ejector 70as in FIG. 7, to actuate the ejector for dislodging coins from magazine25. Thus, upon each retraction of plunger 20, all coins deposited in themagazine by the patron will be captured and retained, preferably withina coin box located adjacent to the magazine.

Means are provided in association with the coin magazine and latch 48;to ensure that a patron wishing to purchase goods or services hasdeposited in the magazine, coins of required denominations, and in suchnumbers, as are necessary to initiate dispensation of the goods orservices desired. Suc-h means is required to count the coins, and alsoto test them for authenticity.

In the example illustrated by FIG. 1, the accumulator has been pre-setto accept two quarters, two nickels, and two pennies, having a totalvalue of sixty-two cents. With these coins inserted in the properrunways, latch 48 will be held retracted to permit full advancement ofplunger 20, for initiating operation of a dispenser of a sixtytwo centcommodity. By adjusting the coin stops 94 along the length of therunways, coins in greater or lesser numbers may be accommodated by therunways, for the purpose of increasing `or decreasing the amount ofmoney necessary to purchase a commodity to be dispensed. For example,the sixty-two cent setting of FIG. 1 may be increased to sixty-threecents, by loosening the clamp screw 96 of the uppermost stop 94, andrelocating the stop to the left a distance equal to the diameter of apenny. In like manner, adjustments may be .made for increasing ordecreasing the number of coins to be accommodated by the remainingrunways, to etect commodity price changes over a wide range.

To test or verify coins deposited in lthe several runways of themagazine, a linkage system is provided which is designed to collapse inthe absence of support from proper coins resting in any one or more ofthe runways,

thereby allowing latch 48 to dip into plunger pocket 46 t (FIG. 11), andlock the plunger against full advancement. Latch 48 may be pivoted onframe part 26 at 98,`

and that end of the latch. which is opposite the nose thereof haspivotal connection at 100 with the upper end of a latch link 102. Link102 in turn is pivoted at 104 upon a rocker arm 106, the latter havingone end pivoted at 108 upon frame part 26.

The swingable end 110 of rocker arm 106 carries a pivot 112 from whichdepends a connecting link 114, whose lower end has pivotal connection at116 upon the free end of a caliper support beam 118, which beam ispivoted at 120 upon frame part 28. The caliper support beam 118 isbiased by spring 50, about pivot 121), ending to tension the linkage forurging the nose of latch 48 toward plunger 20. As will be poin-ted out,however, the action of spring 5) is nullied by proper insertion ofproper coins in the magazine runways, thereby to prevent dipping oflatch 48 into pocket 46 when the plunger is manipulated toward operativeposition.

Near the swinging end of beam 118 is a pivot 122 from which depends alink 124. This link has pivotal connection at 126 with the upper leg ofa caliper element 128 formed as an inverted Y, whose arms 13() and 132diverge in generally opposite directions. From a pivot 134 on the freeend of arm 132, depends a swing member or link 136 having a lower pivot138.

A bell crank 148 having divergent arms 142 and 144, is attached at thejunction of said arms, to pivot 138. The free ends of arms 142 and 144carry gauge pins 146 and 148, which pins extend laterally from the armsin parallelism and in a common direction. A similar gauge pin similarlyextended, is carried by the free end of caliper element arm 130, and isdenoted by the numeral 150. The parts 128 and 140 which carry the gaugepins, are properly considered caliper elements, as the pins thereof arearranged to rest upon the edges of coins such as P, N, and Q, forgauging or calipering the coins as to their height while the coins restupon the several runway shelves 66.

Gauge pins 146, 148, 150, extend transversely through the runways ofmagazine 25, FIG. 6, at levels corresponding to the levels of theseveral runway channels 68, so that when proper coins of the properdiameter occupy said channels 68, the gauge pins will rest upon the topportions of such coins at certain predetermined elevations. Thiscondition is illustrated by FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, then, it is seen Ithat coins Q and N support caliper element140 at a definite elevation, with pivot 138 supporting swing member orlink 136; link 136 supports one arm 132 of Y-shaped caliper element 128,while coin P supports the other arm 130 thereof. In turn, link 124rigidly supports beam 118 at a definite predetermined elevation whichestablishes the position of latch 48. The entire linkage above referredto becomes a rigid structure determining the position of latch 48,which, upon advancement of actuator 20, offers no interference withadvancement of the actuator.

Now, if any one or more of the coins Q, N, P, is absent from its properrunway, as in FIG. 11, .the entire linkage above referred to willcollapse for want of support at a critical point. Thus, in FIG. 1l, theabsence of a coin N to support gauge pin 146, permits bell crank 140 todrop and to carry with it the link 136, which in turn tilts .the caliperelement 128 to offset it from link 124, resulting in a lowering of beam118 by spring 50. Lowering of beam 118 pulls downwardly the members 114,106, and 102, for projecting latch 48 into recess 46 to blockadvancement of actuator 20. Such projection of the latch will occur assoon as actuator is moved from the initial position of FIG. l, to thepartly advanced position of FIG. ll.

Projection of latch 48 to intercepting position will result not onlyfrom the absence of a coin, as above explained, but will result also inthe event that one or more of the supporting coins is undersize indiameter. In that event, collapse of the caliper linkage will not be ascomplete as FIG. 11 depicts it, but collapse will be at least partial,and sufficient to initiate displacement of latch 48 to theactuator-intercepting position of FIG. 11.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that actuator 20 may beadvanced fully, only when proper coins of proper sizes are inserted inmagazine 25, in such numbers as stops 94 determine. For example, in FIG.11, the number of P coins required for actuation may be increased tofour, by relocating the P coin stop 94 to the left a distance equal totwo P coin diameters. Similarly, the coin requirements of other coinrunways may be increased or decreased by relocating their respectivestops (see FIG. 12).

In the event that the xing of a commodity price involves eliminating acoin denomination, such as FIG. 12 suggests by way of example, therunway for the coin to be eliminated may be provided with a dummysupport for gauge pin 146, in ,the form of a block or part 152 carryinga clamp screw 154, whereby the block may be fixed in position tomaintain an elevated position of gauge pin 146 equivalent to theposition that would be established by a proper coin. Thus, the devicemay be conditioned to accept only a predetermined number of coins Q, anda predetermined num-ber of coins P, as a prerequisite to dispensing acommodity or service. Dummy supports may of course be applied to any ofthe magazine runways.

In an alternative magazine construction, FIG. 13, the number of runwaysmay be reduced, with retention of the same collapsible linkage system aswas disclosed in the description of FIGS. 1 and 1'1. However, in FIG.13, the lower arm 144 of bell crank member 140 may then be pivoted at156 upon the magazine, to provide the linkage support that would haveothe-rwise been provided by a third coin. As will be understood, failureof a coin N or P to elevate either of the gauge pins 146 or 150 therequired amount, will result in collapse of the linkage system as soonas actuator 20 is advanced sufficiently to meet resistance by latch 48,as in FIG. 1l. Pivot 156 in this instance is substituted for gauge pin148.

It may here be pointed out that the thickness, as well as the diameterof coins inserted in the several runways of the magazine, may be placedunder test for authenticity by establishing a proper width dimension foreach of the runway grooves 68, as suggested by FIGS. 7 and 14. It shouldbe understood that the present device may be equipped also with variousother coin-testing expedients common in the art, for the detection andrejection of spurious coins or slugs.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, it may be noted that the lowermost gauge pin148 of the collapsible linkage is shown to include a hooked end orretainer to bear loosely against the back of magazine 25, this beingmerely a means t-o preclude accidental lateral displacement of thelinkage system bodily outwardly from the magazine. The hooked end :160lightly contacts the back of the magazine, and will not thereforeinterfere with free movement of the gauge pin and the linkage in a planewhich is substantially parallel to the mean plane of the magazine. Meansother than hook 160 might be employed for the purpose stated.

Magazine 25 may be provided with cut-outs 162 at each of the nunway ribs54, 56, 58, lpermitting the several gauge pins to assume an elevatedposition upon the periphery of a supporting coin, according to FIG. 1and as previously expalined.

It is .to be understood that various modiications and changes may bemade in the structural details of the device, within the scope of theappended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An accumulator of coins of different sizes, :comprising incombination: an actuator movable from a normally inoperative position toan operative position; a shiftable latch member movable from aninoperative position in non-interfering relationship with movement ofthe actuator, to an operative position barring movement of the actuatorto the operative position; a coin magazine comprising la plurality ofcoplanar runways, said runways each including an elongate inclined shelfto support the coins on edge in a `common plane, and along which thecoins may roll by gravity toward the lower ends of the shelves, therunw-ays each having an open coin entry end receptive of coins depositedin the several nunways; individually adjustable coin stops intermediatethe ends of the runway; and means supported by accepted coplanar coinsresting in edgewise contact upon the several inclined shelves, forholding the latch member in the inoperative position favoringunobstructed movement of the actuator .to the operative position.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included: meansoperative incident to movement of the actuator toward the operativeposition, for dislodging the coins from the supporting shelves.

3. The combination as set forth in claim l, wherein is included: meansoperative incident to movement of the actuator toward the operativeposition, for striking corresponding faces of all coins in the runways,to dislodge the coins laterally from the runways.

4. tAn accumulator of coins of different sizes, comprising incombination: an actuator movalble from a normally inoperative positionto an operative position; a shiftable latch movable from an inoperativeposition in non-interfering relationship with movement of the actuator,to an operative position barring movement of the actuator to theoperative position; a coin `magazine including a plurality of elongatenunways each receptive of at least one coi-n, the runways each beingdimensioned to accommoda-te a different ,form of coin; a rockablemember, and means connecting the rockable member with the latch, wherebyrocking of the rockable member in one direction moves the latch tooperative position, and rocking thereof in lan opposite direction movesthe latch to the inoperative position; yielding means biasing therockable member in the direction of latch Ioperativeness; a plurality ofindependently movable coin calipering elements each including a gaugepin extended into a runway in position to be struck and elevated by aproper coin deposited in each runway; means linking one coin caliperingelement to the other VL] coin calipering element, to provide partialsupport for said one calipering element by said other caliperingelement, the remainder of the support being provided by the gauge pinsresting upon proper coins in the several runways, to shift and hold thelatch at inoperative position in opposition to the force of the yieldingmeans.

5. The combination as set fort-h in claim 4, wherein is included meansto eject coins from the runways incident to movement of the actuator inone direction.

6. An accumulator of coins of different sizes, comprisin-g incombination: an actuator movable from a normally inoperative position toan operative position; a shiftable latch, movable from an inoperativeposition in non-interfering relationship ywith movement of the actuator,to an operative position barring movement of the actuator to theoperative position; a coin magazine including a plurality of elongaterunways each receptive of at least one coin, the runways each beingdimensioned to accommodate a different form of coin; a rockable member,and means connecting the rockable member with the latch, whereby rockingof the rockable member in one direction moves the latch to operativeposition, and rocking thereof in an opposite direction moves the latchto the inoperative position; yielding means biasing the rockable memberin the direction of latch operativeness; a normally collapsible linkagesystem suspended from the rockable member, including a plurality ofinterconnected coin calipering elements each comprising a gauge pinextended into a runway in position to be struck and elevated by a propercoin deposited in each runway, said gauge pins when fully elevatedserving to rigidly support the linkage system and maintain the rockablemember in position to hold the latch inoperative.

7. The combination as set Aforth in claim 6, wherein is included meansto eject all coins laterally from the runways incident to movement ofthe actuator in one direction.

8. An accumulator of coins of different sizes, comprising incombination: an actuator movable from a normally inoperative position toan operative lposition; a shiftable latch movable from an inoperativeposition in non-interfering relationship with movement of the actuator,to an operative position barring movement of the actuator to theoperative position; a coin magazine including a plurality of elongaterunways each receptive of at least one coin, the runways each `beingdimensioned to accommodate a different form of coin; a rockable member,and means connecting the rockable member with the latch, whereby rockingof the rockable member in one direction moves the latch to operativeposition, and rocking thereof in an opposite direction moves the latchto the inoperative position; yielding means biasing the rockable memberin the direction of latch operativeness; a normally collapsible linkagesystem suspended from the rockable member, including a plurality ofinterconnected coin calipering elements each comprising a gauge pinextended into a runway in position to be struck and elevated by a propercoin deposited in each runway, said gauge pins when fully elevatedserving to rigidly support the linkage system and maintain the rockablemember in position to hold the latch inoperative, and adjustable meansfor varying the effective length of the runways individually, foraccommodating coins in predetermined numbers.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein each runway includesa lower shelf to support a coin, said shelves being planar andunobstructed along a side thereof whereby coins may be dislodged bodilylaterally therefrom for displacement from the magazine; channeled meansabove each shelf to releasably confine laterally a minor portion of thecoin periphery above the shelf; and ejector means movable laterally ofthe runways incident to movement of the actuator in one direction, forpushing the coins laterally off the unobstructed sides of the shelves,to clear the runways of coins and thereby free the gauge pins forcollapse of the linkage system.

10. An accumulator of coins of different sizes, comprising .incombination: an actuator movable from a normally inoperative position toan operative position; a shiftable latch movable from an inoperativeposition in noninterfering relationship with movement of the actuator,to an operative position barring movement of the actuator to theoperative position; a coin magazine including a plurality of coplanarelongate runways each receptive of at least one coin, the runways eachbeing dimensioned to accommodate a different form of coin; a first coincalipering element having three divergent arms; means connecting thefirst of said arms with the latch, whereby movementsof said first armare translated to the latch for moving said latch to the operative andinoperative positions aforesaid; a second coin calipering element in theform of a bell crank having two divergent arms meeting at a point ofjunction; a link having one end pivoted upon the second caliperingelement at the junction point, `and an opposite end pivoted to the freeend of the second arm of the first calipering element, thereby topivotally suspend said second calipering element from the firstcalipering element; a plurality of gauge pins each extended laterallyinto a runway in position to be struck and elevated by va proper coindeposited in each runway, said gauge pins being individually fixed oneupon the third arm of the first calipering element, and the remainingtwo gauge pins being fixed one upon the free end of each arm of thesecond calipering element, so that proper coins deposited in the runwaysand positioned beneath the gauge pins will support the gauge pins andtheir associated calipering elements at a predetermined elevation, formaintaining the latch at inoperative position through the agency of theconnecting means aforesaid.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 10, wherein is included meansto dislodge all coins laterally from the runways incident to movement ofthe actuator in one direction.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11, wherein is included:adjustable means associated with at least one runway, for varying theeffective length of said one runway to accommodate coins `inpredetermined numbers.

13. An accumulator of coins of different sizes, comprising incombination: an actuator movable from a normally inoperative position toan operative position; a shiftable latch movable from an inoperativeposition in non-interfering relationship with movement of the actuator,to an operative position barring movement of the actuator to theoperative position; a coin magazine including a plurality of coplanarelongate runways each receptive of at least one coin, the runways eachbeing dimensioned to accommodate a different form of coin; a first coincalipering element having three divergent arms; means connecting thefirst of said arms with the latch, whereby movements of said first armare translated to the latch for moving said latch to the operative andinoperative positions aforesaid; a second coin calipering element in theform of a bell crank having two divergent arms meeting at a point ofjunction; a link having one end pivoted upon the second caliperingelement at the junction point, and an opposite end pivoted to the freeend of the second arm of the first calipering element, thereby topivotally suspend said second calipering element from the firstcalipering element; a plurality of gauge pins each extended laterallyinto a runway in position to be struck and elevated by a proper coindeposited in each runway, said gauge pins being individually fixed oneupon the third arm of the first calipering element, and the remaininggauge pin being fixed upon the free end of one arm of the secondcalipering element; and means pivoting upon the magazine the free end ofthe remaining arm of the second calipering element, the gauge pins beingso disposed that proper coins deposited in the runways and positionedbeneath the gauge pins will support the gauge pins and their associatedcalipering elements at a predetermined elevation, for maintaining thelatch at inoperative position through the agency of the connecting meansaforesaid.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 13, wherein is included meansto dislodge all coins laterally from the runways incident to movement ofthe actuator in one direction.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 14, wherein is included:adjustable means associated with at least one runway, for varying theeffective length of said one runway to accommodate coins inpredetermined numbers.

16. An accumulator f coins of different sizes, comprising incombination: a substantially Hat elongate plate having a slotted planarface, forward and -rear ends, and upper and lower sides defining saidplanar face; an upper and a lower` elongate rib extending laterally fromsaid face, said ribs being parallel to one another and extendinglengthwise along the upper and lower sides, respectively, of the plate;the upper rib having a lower edge grooved longitudinally adjacent to theplanar face of said plate to accommodate an edge margin of a coindisposed flatwise against said planar face; the lower rib having anupper planar shelf area substantially perpendicular to the planar faceof the plate, to support an edge of a second coin resting thereon inparallelism with the first-mentioned coin; a pair of intermediateelongate ribs spaced apart on the plate and disposed each in parallelismwith the upper rib, said intermediate ribs each including an upperplanar shelf area and a lower edge grooved longitudinally adjacent tothe planar face of the plate, the shelf area of one intermediate ribbeing supportive of an edge of the first-mentioned coin, and the grooveof the remaining intermediate rib being receptive of an upper edgemargin of the second coin; the several shelves and the grooves of theribs above them providing elongate coin runways extending from theforward to the rear end of the plate; means adjustable lengthwise of therunways intermediate the ends of the plate, for predetermining thenumber of coins to be accommodated in the runways at the forward end ofthe plate; the slots of said plate being equal in number to the numberof runways, each slot extending longitudinally of a runway betweenadjacent runway ribs; and a plurality of coin ejector elements movableunitarily toward and from the plate, said elements being movable from a-position remote from the runway slots to a position within each slot,for dislodging the coins bodily off the shelf areas laterally of theplanar face of the plate.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 16, wherein the combinationincludes means for mounting the movable ejector elements upon theaccumulator plate, and said ejector elements comprise each an elongatebar substantially co-extensive in length with the length of a runwayslot penetrated thereby.

18. An accumulator of coins of different sizes, comprising incombination: a substantially -at elongate plate having a slotted planarface, forward and rear ends, and upper and lower sides defining saidplanar face; an upper and a `lower elongate rib extending laterally fromsaid face, said ribs being parallel to one another and extendinglengthwise along the upper `and lower sides, respectively, of the plate;the upper rib having a lower edge grooved longitudinally adjacent to theplanar face of said plate to accommodate an edge margin of a coindisposed flatwise against rsaid planar face; the lower rib having anupper planar shelf area substantially perpendicular to the planar faceof the plate, to support an edge of a second coin resting thereon inparallelism with the firstmentioned coin; a pair of intermediateelongate ribs spaced apart on the plate and disposed each in parallelismwith the upper rib, said intermediate ribs each including an upperplanar shelf area and -a lower edge groove longitudinally adjacent tothe planar face of the plate, the shelf area of one intermediate ribbeing supportive of and edge of the first-mentioned coin, and the grooveof the remaining intermediate rib being receptive of an upper edgemargin of the second coin; the several shelves and the grooves of theribs above them providing elongate coin runways extending from theforward to the rear end of the plate; the slots of said plate beingequal in number to the number of runways, each slot extendinglongitudinally of a runway between Iadjacent runway ribs; and aplurality of coin ejector elements movable unitarily toward and from theplate, said elements being movable from a position remote from therunway slots to a position within each slot, for dislodging the coinsbodily off the shelf areas laterally of the planar face of the plate.

19. An accumulator of coins of different sizes, comprising incombination: a substantially flat elongate plate having a slotted planarface, forward and rear ends, and upper and lower sides defining saidplanar face; an upper and a lower elongate rib extending laterally fromsaid face, said ribs being parallel to one another and extendinglengthwise al-ong the upper land lower sides, respectively, of theplate; the upper rib having a lower edge grooved longitudinally adjacentto the planar face of said plate to accommodate an edge margin of a coindisposed atwise against said planar face; the lower rib having an upperplanar shelf area substantially perpendicular to the planar face of theplate, to support an edge of a second coin resting thereon inparallelism with the first-mentioned coin; an intermediate elongate ribspaced between and in parallelism with the upper and lower rib, saidintermediate rib including an upper planar shelf area, and a lower edgegrooved longitudinally adjacent to the planar face of the plate, saidshelf area being supportive of an edge of the first-mentioned c-oin, andthe groove of said intermediate web being receptive of the upper edgemargin of the second coin; the several shelves and the grooves of theribs above them providing elongate coin runways extending from theforward to the rear end of the plate; the slots of said plate beingequal in number to the number of runways, each slot extendinglongitudinally of a runway between adjacent ribs; and a plurality ofcoin ejector elements movable unitarily toward and from the plate, saidelements being movable from a position remote from the runway slots to aposition within each slot, for dislodging the coins bodily off the shelfareas laterally of the planar face of the plate.

20. The combination as set forth in claim 19, wherein the combinationincludes: means adjustable lengthwise of the runways intermediate theends of the plate, for predetermining the number of coins to beaccommodated in the runways at the forward end of the plate; and meansfor mounting the movable ejector elements upon the accumulator plate,said ejector elements each comprising an elongate bar substantiallycoextensive in length with the length of a runway slot penetratedthereby.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,037,462 4/ 1936Du Grenier. 2,633,961 4/ 1953 Dixon 194--92 3,082,912 3/1963 Hawks221-213 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Examiner.

1. AN ACCUMULATOR OF COILS OF DIFFERENT SIZES, COMPRISING INCOMBINATION: AN ACTUATOR MOVABLE FROM A NORMALLY INOPERATIVE POSITION TOAN OPERATIVE POSITION; A SHIFTABLE LATCH MEMBER MOVABLE FROM ANINOPERATIVE POSITION IN NON-INTERFERING RELATIONSHIP WITH MOVEMENT OFTHE ACTUATOR, TO AN OPERATIVE POSITION BARRING MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATORTO THE OPERATIVE POSITION; A COIN MAGAZINE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFCOPLANAR RUNWAYS, SAID RUNWAYS EACH INCLUDING AN ELONGATE INCLINED SHELFTO SUPPORT THE COINS ON EDGE IN A COMMON PLANE, AND ALONG WHICH THECOINS MAY ROLL BY GRAVITY TOWARD THE LOWER ENDS OF THE SHELVES, THERUNWAYS EACH HAVING AN OPEN COIN ENTRY END RECEPTIVE OF COINS DEPOSITEDIN THE SEVERAL RUNWAYS; INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTABLE COIN STOPS INTERMEDIATETHE ENDS OF THE RUNWAY; AND MEANS SUPPORTED BY ACCEPTED COPLANAR COINSRESTING IN EDGEWISE CONTACT UPON THE SEVERAL INCLINED SHELVES, FORHOLDING THE LATCH MEMBER IN THE INOPERATIVE POSITION FAVORINGUNOBSTRUCTED MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATOR TO THE OPERATIVE POSITION.